Dating app keeps out creeps with invite-only system

A new dating app launching in San Francisco next week hopes to provide a “creep-free” experience by making it more difficult for men to join.

Wyldfire is geared toward “discerning women,” according to a statement from the company, and allows men to join by invitation only. Women are given three invitations — or “feathers” — after they join. They can send feathers anonymously to men. Men can request an invitation from a female user, but they still must be approved.

The San Diego-based company chose feathers as its company logo and invitation tool because it “represents a gift of high honor” in American Indian culture, according to the statement.

The app verifies user genders and identities through Facebook. Users must have at least 25 Facebook friends to join, and their accounts must be at least three months old.

Besides its registration process, Wyldfire is fairly traditional. Users browse a feed of other users and swipe right if they see something they like, left if don’t. They can chat or “burn” matches. Users are limited to 20 chats, unless they choose to share their contact information. There’s also a trending feature to show which users are popular in your area.

Wyldfire is in review at the App Store and is projected to launch next week. It will be free.